Design of thermoelectric generators for oil and gas production systems

Abstract

The article focuses on the ways to reduce energy costs at oil and gas production facilities. The ways for efficient conversion of compressed gas energy into thermal energy are studied. Authors focus on R&D efforts in respect of thermoelectric generators for hydrocarbons production and processing systems. Creation of new environmentally friendly technologies requires designing new special equipment, which will be more sophisticated in production and operation, and have less weight and lower cost. Generation of thermal energy from the compressed gas energy is broken down into several phases. At the beginning of the cycle, the potential energy of gas is converted into kinetic energy. The gas is channeled to the turbine where the kinetic energy of the gas is converted into mechanical energy. The mechanical energy is transmitted through the turbine shaft to the rotor of the hydraulic machine. A pump performs the role of the hydraulic machine; such a hydraulic machine converts the mechanical energy into the hydraulic energy, generating a fluid flow, which serves as the coolant. When the fluid circulates in a closed circuit, the hydraulic energy is converted into the thermal energy, which is accompanied by the coolant's heating. The energy conversion chain includes elements of an electromagnetic system; the efficiency of this approach is confirmed by relevant estimations and laboratory tests. A new concept of a thermoelectric generator for oil and gas production systems is suggested.